By 2025, Volvo cars wants to have more than one million electrified cars on the roads. Volvo Cars’ CEO Hakan Samuelsson is convinced that the future of automotive industry is electrification. In a very interesting interview, he said that there is no way for diesel engines to remain a competitive consumer powertrain with the tightening emissions legislation environment (CO2 and especially to match NOx requirements).
“We are developing not just one model but electrification for the small platform and also for the larger platforms, and we haven’t revealed which one will be the first.”
Samuelsson also appreciates the great driving experience one can have with an all-electric powertrain. It’s so good, according to the Volvo boss, that consumers should be willing to buy EVs based on their performance alone – even without the need to think about the additional environment benefits.
“The driving experience with a fully electric vehicle is really very good with high acceleration (and) quiet, little or no transmission noise, so once we bring down the cost it becomes a very good proposition. People will buy it not just because of lower emissions, but because it’s a good technology.”
Moreover, it’s expected that battery costs will shortly decrease to a level enabling prices to be comparable to diesel cars.
Volvo EVs, like all plug-ins, will rely on the public charging infrastructure for long distance travel, yet Volvo is, as of now, not willing to provide any charging stations. The Swedish brand rather bets on third parties to install and operate charging network for all EVs cumulatively.
“I think our biggest contribution to this will be our commitment. We believe in electrification and will be providing the market for somebody as a business opportunity. If someone sees a credible future where electric cars are pumped out onto the market, then it’s a good business to invest in that infrastructure. I don’t see that we, as carmakers, need to invest in that infrastructure.”
Volvo’s CEO also doesn’t believe in hydrogen fuel cell cars.
“Of course, you should never say never, but right now it’s important for us to be clear. The grass is always greener on the other side and there is always something new, but battery electrification is what we believe in. With hydrogen you would require all new infrastructure once more, so I think there is a limit to what people will invest in. Of course, we might be wrong.”
